Under pressure from consumer groups to address the problem of fare refusals, Sharad Rao-led auto union has proposed reissuing tens of thousands of dormant permits so that more legal autos can ply.
Under pressure from consumer groups and officials to address the problem of fare refusals, the Sharad Rao-led auto union in the city has proposed reissuing tens of thousands of dormant permits so that more legal autos can ply.
Also, it has demanded strict action against illegal auto drivers who, they say, have been proliferating and breaking the law at will.
In a written proposal sent to the transport department and an elected representative from the western suburbs, a copy of which is with DNA, union leader Tambi Kurien said that as per the information accessed by him under a Right to Information application, there are at least 38,000 dormant autorickshaw permits in the city.
He suggested that such permits should be given to those who are educated but unemployed. Apart from just helping the needy, he said, this will help in reducing the influence of the illegal autorickshaw drivers, who have been tarnishing the image of all by committing petty crimes, refusing passengers arbitrarily, acting unlawful in general.
Kurien wrote: “In specific areas of the city like airports and railway termini, there is a dominance of these (illegal) drivers. As the number of illegal autorickshaws is huge, the state is losing out on tax revenues running into crores. Also, the illegal autos are adding to the crime and corruption in the city.”
“A few months back, in the area outside the eastern entrance of Bandra station, when RTO officials went to take possession of 15 illegal autorickshaws, some criminal elements managed to take back the autorickshaws after assaulting the officials. A case has been registered in the Nirmal Nagar police station,” he added.
Kurien alleged that the transport department does not seem to have the will to enforce rules strictly. He said the union is thus taking up the issue with elected representatives of the opposition party so that when they are asked in an official forum like the legislative assembly or council, the concerns and questions will be taken seriously.
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